Police Scotland Solving Every Case Since 2013
Latest statistics from Scottish Government, published today, show the number of homicides committed in Scotland continues to reduce.
They also reveal that every single homicide committed in Scotland since 2013 has been detected by Police Scotland.
This 100% detection rate means that every one of the 605 murders committed since the inception of the single national service in 2013 has been solved.
In 2022-23, 52 victims of homicide were recorded, 2% (or one victim) fewer than the 53 victims recorded in 2021-22. This is the lowest number of recorded homicide victims since comparable records began in 1976.
All 52 were detected, with the perpetrators brought to justice.
Over the latest 10 year period from 2013-14 to 2022-23, the number of victims fell by 16% (or 10 victims) from 62 to 52 – and by more than half (52% or 57 victims) over the latest 20 year period.
The biggest reduction in homicide victims over the last 20 years has been amongst young people aged 16-24. In the five years between 2003-04 to 2007-08 there were 126 victims in this age range, which dropped to 24 across the latest five years between 2018-19 to 2022-23.
In addition, a significant number of ‘cold cases’, some committed many decades ago, have also been detected – with the culprits identified, often using the latest technologies, and brought to trial. These have included the murders of Brenda Page (1978) and Renee MacRae (1976).
While any homicide figures obviously represent lives lost in awful circumstances and will always be unwelcome, these latest statistics reveal the continuation of a remarkable record on the part of Police Scotland.
GRAEME
Since the SNP Scottish Government created a single national police force, every single homicide case has been solved.
This should give real assurance to communities here in Angus and across Scotland that our hardworking police are absolutely getting the job done and keeping us all safe, and I would wish to express my gratitude to officers for their efforts every day.
This 100% record on solving homicides reflects wider, very significant reduction of crime in Scotland since the SNP first took office in 2007, and this Scottish Government remains committed to supporting our police and continuing to cut crime.
Every murder is a tragedy for individuals, families, and local communities.
DETECTIVE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT PAUL LIVINGSTONE, HEAD OF MAJOR CRIME
Our dedicated murder investigators bring a high level of professional practice, compassion, competence and commitment to each investigation. As a single national service we are able to bring a consistent approach, working with partners, to every investigation.
We hope this commitment gives the public confidence in their police service.
The pursuit of justice, regardless of the passage of time, is a core duty of policing and central to public confidence and police legitimacy. We apply the same level of commitment and professionalism to unresolved cases from the past, to provide answers and justice for families, even after decades.
